Help CarbonfreeDC win $20,000 to Green Low-Income Homes

About a year ago,  a grassroots initative was started here in Washington called CarbonfreeDC. It was created to help individuals in DC reduce their carbon footprint by taking responsibility for their own actions. The founders organized free workshops with local experts, a “carbon diet” program, field trips, office green teams and more that educated and enabled locals to make their own eco-friendly changes.

Since then, over 750 people have joined CarbonfreeDC. They’ve participated dozens and dozens of workshops on issues ranging from finding a “green job” in DC to composting in an apartment. CarbonfreeDC has grown to become a recognizable part of the environmental movement in Washington. More importantly, it has helped many people live a more sustainable life.

Now, CarbonfreeDC is preparing for a big new opportunity for the group and they need your help. Last month, CarbonfreeDC submitted an entry into the National Geographic Society & Sun Chips “Green Effect” competition. The competition sought ideas on what a person or a group could do to green their community with $20,000. Out of 2,500 entries, CarbonfreeDC has made it into the top 10.

CarbonfreeDC’s idea was to use the $20,000 to help 20 low-income DC residents make their homes more eco-friendly. They call it the “Extreme Green Home Makeover.” After carefully choosing 20 homes in a local neighborhood, CarbonfreeDC would work with local experts to identify what changes would be most beneficial. Then, with an army of 750 members, they would begin the process of modernizing, weatherizing and insulating these houses. The result would be a block of energy efficient homes that would help 20 families manage their utility bills and reduce DC’s overall carbon footprint. After the changes have been made, CarbonfreeDC would offer workshops in the selected community to help others make similar changes in their homes.

We all should help this local cause.

Here’s what you can do. Out of the top 10, 5 winners will be awarded $20,000 each. Four of those winners will be selected by a panel of judges and the fifth will be selected by online vote.

CarbonfreeDC needs you to vote once every day for the next two weeks. How? Simply go to http://greeneffect.nationalgeographic.com/. Register for a log-in. Then select “CarbonfreeDC” from the list of competitors. Click “Vote for this Idea” and you’re done. Come back every day and vote so they can stay at the top of the pack.